Former Steelers Bettis, Greene among Hall finalists

Former Steelers player Jerome Bettis is the only running back named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.

Associated Press

Onetime Steelers linebacker Kevin Greene, who over the course of his career was a punishing pass rusher with 160 sacks, could be headed to Canton, Ohio, this year.

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CANTON, Ohio (AP) – Single-season sacks leader Michael Strahan and two players who tried to block him are among 15 modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Strahan, who had 22 1/2 sacks in 2001 and 141 1/2 for his 15-year his career with the New York Giants, is joined by offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden of the Ravens and guard-tackle Larry Allen of the Cowboys and 49ers.

The fourth first-year eligible to make the cut is defensive tackle Warren Sapp of the Buccaneers and Raiders.

Strahan, Ogden and Sapp all won Super Bowls.

The hall announced Friday that the other finalists include two former Steelers: running back Jerome Bettis and linebacker Kevin Greene. Bettis is the only running back among the finalists.

Also on the list of finalists are wide receivers Cris Carter, Tim Brown and Andre Reed; defensive end Charles Haley; guard Will Shields; defensive back Aeneas Williams; coach Bill Parcells; and former owners Edward DeBartolo Jr. of the 49ers and the late Art Modell of the Browns, who moved to Baltimore in 1996 to become the Ravens.

The two senior nominees are defensive tackle Curley Culp – who played for the Chiefs, Oilers and Lions – and linebacker Dave Robinson of the Packers and Redskins.

Between four and seven new members will be selected Feb. 2, the day before the Super Bowl, in New Orleans.

Bettis played for the Rams and Steelers – he won the 2006 Super Bowl in his final game, something Strahan did in 2008. He’s in his third season of eligibility and was beaten out by fellow running backs Marshall Faulk in 2011 and Curtis Martin in 2012 for the hall.

Carter, Brown and Reed all were in the top 10 in receptions when they retired. Haley won five Super Bowls, two with San Francisco and three with Dallas.

Greene was one of the first hybrid linebacker-end defenders, which best suited his pass-rushing skills.

Shields was an ironman blocker for 14 seasons in Kansas City. Williams was a versatile defensive back who played on the corner and at safety. He had 55 career interceptions and 23 fumble recoveries.